The Delta independent., 1887-05-17


Kiefer, who, on the part of the Monument
Committee, delivered an address transfer
ring the statue to General Sheridan. At
the conclusion, General Sheridan, in behalf
of the society, transferred the statue to the
President in the following words:
Mr.. President-This statue which has
been unveiled in your presence to-day, was
erected by the comrades of General Gar
field belonging to the Army Of the Cumber-
and. They recognized his merit as q SOL
dier and they wished to pay some testimony
to that merit and his worth as a man.
have the honor, sit, on behalf of the Society
of the Army Of the Cumberland to ask you
as the representative of the American peo-
pie, to accept the statue from their hands
as it was given to me-"
The President, who arose as General
Sheridan be gan speaking, then began his
address accepting the statue as gift to the
Nation.
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
Fellose Citisens-In the performance Of the
duty assigned me on this occasion, hereby
accept on behalf of the people Of the United
States this complete and beautiful statue.
Amid the interchange OF fraternal greet
ings between the survivors Of the Army
of the Cumberland and their form
er foes upon the battlefield, and while
Union General and peoples President
awaited burial, the common grief of these
magnanimous survivors and mourning citi-
zens found expression in a determination
to erect this tribute to American greatness,
and thus to day, in its symmetry and beau
ty, it presents sign of animosities forgot
ten, an emblem of brotherhood redeemed
and token OF Nation restored.
Monuments and statues multiply through
the land, fttingly illustrative Of the love
and affection of our grateful people, and
commemorating brave and patriotic sacri-
fees in war, fame in the peaceful pursuits
or honor in public station; but from this
day forth there shall stand at our seat Of
government this statue of distinguished
citizen, who in his life and services COM
bined all these things and more which
challenge admiration in American charac-
ter-a loving tenderness in every domestic
relation, bravery on the field of battle fame
and distinction in our halls Of legislation
and the highest honor and dignity in the
chief magestracy Of the nation.
This stately eftigy shall not fail to teach
every beholder that the source Of American
greatness is confined to no condition nor
dependent alone for its growth and devel-
opment upon favorable surroundings. The
genius OF our National life beckons to use
fulness and honor those in every sphere,
and offers the highest preferment to manly
hopes and sturdy honest effort, chastened
and consecrated by patriotic hopes and as
pirations. As long as this statue stands, let
it be proudly remembered that to every
American citizen the way is open to fame
and station until he
Moving up from higher to higher
Becomes on Fortunes crowning slope
The pillar of a peoples hope,
The center of worlds desire"
Nor can We forget that it also teaches our
people a sad and distressing lesson, and the
thoughtful citizen who views its fair pro-
portions cannot fail to recall the tragedy
| and death which brought grief and mourn
ing TO every household in the land. But
while American citizenship stands aghast
and affriChted that murder and assassina
ton should lurk in the midst of free peo-
pie, and strike down the head of their gov
ernment, fearless seach and the discovery
of the origin and hiding place of these hate
full ard unnatural things should be fol-
| lowed by a solemn resolve to purge forever
from our political methods and from the
| operation Of our government the perver-
| sions and misconceptions which give birth
to passionate and bloody thoughts.
II from this hour our admiration for the
bravery and nobility of American man.
hood and our faith in the possibilities and
opportunities of American citizenship be
renewed; if our appreciation Of the bless
ing of a restored Union and love for our
government be strengthened, and if our
watchfulness against the dangers of the
mad chase after partisan spoils be quicken
ed the dedication Of this statue to the peo-
pie of the UnitedStates will not be in vain.' -
During the delivery of his address the
President was frequently interrupted by
outbursts of applause. He spoke fuently,
in clear voice, which was audible to most
of the vast crowd that filled the circle be-
fore him, and when he had concluded the
band played Hail Columbia" and Rev. F.
D. Power, who was pastor of General Gar
fields church in this city, pronounced the
benediction. The troops were then dis.
missed and the ceremonies came to an end.
Gen'l Samuel l. Given, Ex-Chief Of Pc
lice, Philadelphia, Pa, writes: Years ago
was permanently cured by St. Jacobs Oil
| have had no occasion to use it since. Ny
family keen IL on hand lts healing uualk